Linux 5.4 with exFat support has appeared

Linus Torvalds has announced the release of version 5.4 of the Linux kernel. Among other things, the release brings support for Microsoft’s exFat file system to the kernel. In addition, support for AMD, Intel and Qualcomm chips has been expanded.

It concerns initial exFat support that will gradually be expanded. The arrival of the exFat driver to the kernel is possible because patent holder Microsoft released the filesystem specification in August and encourages use for the Linux kernel. The company also helps with the implementation. ExFat is used for sd cards, among other things.

Kernel version 5.4 is codenamed Kleptomaniac Octopus and also includes support for AMD Radeon Navi 12, Navi 14 and the upcoming Arcturus GPUs, expected in the first half of 2020. There is also early support for the AMD APUs codenamed Dali and Renoir and for the Gen 12 GPUs from Intel’s Tiger Lake generation. These chips are also expected next year. Finally, the Linux kernel 5.4 can handle Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855.

Phoronix has listed all the new features of Linux kernel 5.4. Linux 5.5 should be released in late January or early February. That release should include support for AMD’s overclocking functionality OverDrive for Navi GPUs.